In general, mpls is more efficient and has less overhead than IP. In
your
provider network, mpls operates at layer 2. If your provider is using
mpls
in its backbone, generally you need do nothing. A typical scenario is a
point-to-point frame-relay or ATM connection from the customer to the
provider. Routing (label-switching) is performed in the provider
network.

Most of the changes will be done at the carrier's end however some changes
will have to be implemented at the customer's end in reference to the type
of switch that is being used. Why is it necessary to have an MPLS link? well
I would like answer that with a question to you...

Do you want to have scalability, guaranteed quality of service, the ability
to utilise triple services and have a good quality of experience?

Remember MPLS combines IP addresses and IP routing protocols to perform its
job. MPLS, a technology for backbone networks, can be used for Internet
protocols as well as for other network layer protocol. Also MPLS combines
the conventional Internet functions, i.e., forwarding and routing
capabilities, with transmission and switching capabilities such as ATM.MPLS
takes the approach of introducing a connection oriented mechanism in the
connectionless IP networks.

There is a lot of information available on the internet that would highlight
the advantages for you. Only today there was a webinar on Lightreading
entitled MPLS in Access Networks which would have been ideal to enhance your
awareness.

I hope that this answer helps. If you need more information please feel
free to contact me.

Hemant I hope all is well. The best way to go about it is to first explain
from a slightly technical stand point to the sales guys the difference
between MPLS and Frame. Make sure you let them know that MPLS has to do with
routing while Frame has to do with the access network. Thus in essence they
can not be compared. Therefore you must explain to them that MPLS which is
more suited for an IP backbone deals with the fast reroute of information
via a LSP (label switched path) which is in turn set up by the LERs and LSRs
( label edge and label switch routers respectively.)

You must also educate them and let know the room for scalabilty and the
increase amount of services that can be offered on an MPLS network as
compared to that of frame. You must also highlight to the reduce costing
when mpls is implemented as compared to the maintenance on a Frame relay
link.

A good resource for MPLS is the Metro Ethernet Forum. Also if you go to
www.lightreading.com and do search for MPLS you will find a whole heap of
white papers, webinars etc.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me for any further assistance.